Fr. Joeven Matugas sx
Today, the 4th Sunday of Lent, we have heard the story of the Prodigal Son. A son who lived a life of waste, debauchery and madness. Later on, he experienced profound conversion. Often in life we weaponize our free will and human freedom in order to rebel against God. We are so free of ourselves that we tend to forget that God owns our will and strength. This is what happened of this younger son in the Gospel. He squandered all that he has without fear. When he suffered for the consequences of his bad actions, he realized that he made mistakes. He came to his senses and understood that he offended his own Father. He returned back home full of remorse and sorrows. His Father embraced him, accepted him and welcome him back to his house. He was the lost son and the Father found him.
In moments when we have lost track of ourselves, God has not condemned us. He is always ready to accept us back so long as we are in a contrite heart. This is the mercy of God. He erases all our iniquities and brought us back again to his fold.
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son” (15:18-19)
Our Heavenly and Merciful Father always ready to embrace us and accept us back when we return to Him. God’s immense love and goodness for his people is beyond human telling. It is beyond measure. God always reaches out to the repentant sinners who come to him.
Today is also a Laetare Sunday. The Psalm says, “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord” (Ps 34).
We must have to be grateful that the Church has given us chance to look inside of our interior self and acknowledge our human sinfulness. And we are given the opportunity to renew our hearts and will bound into good. These are all in the mercy of the Lord. God is pleased when we come to Him.
Today, the 4th Sunday of Lent, we have heard the story of the Prodigal Son. A son who lived a life of waste, debauchery and madness. Later on, he experienced profound conversion. Often in life we weaponize our free will and human freedom in order to rebel against God. We are so free of ourselves that we tend to forget that God owns our will and strength. This is what happened of this younger son in the Gospel. He squandered all that he has without fear. When he suffered for the consequences of his bad actions, he realized that he made mistakes. He came to his senses and understood that he offended his own Father. He returned back home full of remorse and sorrows. His Father embraced him, accepted him and welcome him back to his house. He was the lost son and the Father found him.
In moments when we have lost track of ourselves, God has not condemned us. He is always ready to accept us back so long as we are in a contrite heart. This is the mercy of God. He erases all our iniquities and brought us back again to his fold.
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son” (15:18-19)
Our Heavenly and Merciful Father always ready to embrace us and accept us back when we return to Him. God’s immense love and goodness for his people is beyond human telling. It is beyond measure. God always reaches out to the repentant sinners who come to him.
Today is also a Laetare Sunday. The Psalm says, “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord” (Ps 34).
We must have to be grateful that the Church has given us chance to look inside of our interior self and acknowledge our human sinfulness. And we are given the opportunity to renew our hearts and will bound into good. These are all in the mercy of the Lord. God is pleased when we come to Him.